Certain subresinous esterification derivatives of high molal hydroxy acid amides and method of making same



Patented Aug. 7, 1945 CERTAIN SUBRESINOUS ESTERIFICATION DERIVATIVES OF HIGH MOLAL HYDROXY ACID AMIDES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Melvin De Groote, University City, and Bernhard Keiser, Webster Groves, Mo., assignors to Petrolite Corporation, Ltd., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Original application June 15, 1942 Serial No. 447,155. Divided and this application August 2, 1943, Serial No. 497,122

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a new chemical product or composition of matter, our present application being a division of our .co-pending application Serial No. 447,155, filed June 15, 1942, which subsequently matured as U. S. Patent No. 5 following formula: 2,353,698, dated July 18, 1944. OH The main object of our invention is to provide a new chemical product or compound that is par- Q ticularly adapted for use as a demulsifier in the 0H f gg ig ifi to pr vide 1 If treated wit]; antoxyalklyilgting agelz, and m0- 0 0 1S 0 mentarily consi era ion Wi e limi e 0 an oxya firacticiabledmetthod for manifacturing said new ethylating agent, one may obtain an oxyethylat- 0 8111108 P 110 001111101111 ed 1 cerol of the followin formul ty e: Although one of the primary objects of our ing y (0220MB a p vention is to provide a new compound or compol5 sition of matter that is an efficient demulsifier for C3H5Oa (C2H*0)"H crude oil emulsions of the water-in-oil type, the (oznlo u Sam compqund composltlon a f in which the value of 11. may vary from 3 to 10 ed for m P arts as i mdmated' and all the values of 11 need not be identical. If We have dlscwered that If one oxya'lkylates a polybasic carboxy acid be indicated by the forglycerol so as to introduce at least three oxyalkylmula: ene radicals for each hydroxyl group, and if the product so obtained is reacted with a polybasic COOH carboxy acid having not over eight carbon atoms, and in such a manner as to yield a fractional ester, due to the presence of at least one free carooon boxyl radical one can then esteflfy Said acidic then the acyclic reaction product of one mole of 2 3: L g g i ggg gg g gg fi g g? fi g; oxyethylated glycerol and one mole of a polybasic herein described to give a variety of new compogg'gfig may be mdlcated by the followmg sitions of matter which have utility in various arts, and particularly in the demulsification of (CZHAO)1;IOOCR(COOH)HH crude oil. 03H503-'( 2H40)v-'H The compounds herein contemplated may be (0540MB produced in any suitable manner, but are usually H manufactured by following one of two general m whtch n has the Value of W9- procedures. In one of said procedures the oxyallarly If two mOles of the 9 acld P kylated glycerol, which is, in essence, a polyhythe 9 may be Indicated by dric alcohol, is reacted with a polybasic acid so lowmg formula" as to give an acidic material or intermediate prod- 40 2 lO)..'o 0 o R(O 0 M" not, which, in turn, is reacted with an alcoholic c,H,0, c,H,0 oooR(oooH body of the kind hereinafter described, and mo- 0 H 0 H mentarily indicated by the formula R1(OH) m. 2 Generically, the alcoholic body herein contem- Llkewise 1f three moles of a l a acid are plated may be considered a member of the class w i the compound may be mdlcatedvby the in which m may vary from 1 to 10, although th'e followlng u a! specific significance of m in the present instance (ozniomooomooomw will be hereinafter indicated. The second pro- I H cedure is to react an alcohol of the formula type 0311608 (0230)" OOCRwOOH)" (oiHimn-ooomooom,

R1(OH)m with a polybasic acid so as to produce an intermediate product, and then react said intermediate product or fractional ester with the selected oxyalkylated glycerol.

, Glycerol may be conveniently indicated by the If a fractional ester of the kind exemplified by the three preceding formulae is reacted with one or more moles of an alcohol of the kind previously described in a generic sense as R1(OH) m, then obviously, one may obtain a material of the type indicated by the following formula:

in Which a: is 0, l or 2, y is O, 1 or 2, and z is 1, 201- 3, and I1? is or 1, and y is 1 or 2.

It has been previously stated that compounds of the type herein contemplated may be obtained by oxyalkylating agents, without being limited to ethylene oxide. Suitable oxyalkylating agents include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide and glycid, which, although not included, strictly speaking, by the unitary structure is included within the meaning of the hereto appended claims and may be simply considered as a variant of propylene oxide, i. e., hydroxypropylene oxide. Similarly, where a carboxylic hydrogen atom appears, it may be replaced by metal, an ammonium radical, or substituted ammonium radical, or by an organic group derived from an alcohol, such as an aliphatic alcohol, an aralkyl alcohol, or an alicyclic alcohol. It may also be converted into an amide, including a polyaminoamide. Thus,.the preceding formula may be rewritten in its broader scope, as follows:

[(CnHznO)n'OOCR(COOH),."]z

in which n replaces the numbers 2, 3 or 4, z includes the acidic hydrogen atom itself. In the above formula and hereafter, for convenience, R1 is intended to include any hydroxyl groups that remain.

If the compounds herein contemplated are obtained under usual conditions, at the lowest temperatures, then the monomeric form is most likely to result.

The production of the compounds herein contemplated is the result of one or more esterification steps. As is well known, esterification procedures can be carried out in various manners, but generally speaking, esterifications can be carried out the lowest feasible temperatures by using one of several procedures. One procedure is to pass an inert dried gas through the mass to be esterified, and have present at the same time a small amount of a catalyst, such as dried HCl gas, a dried sulfonic acid, or the like. Another and better procedure, in many instances, is to employ the vapors of a suitable liquid, so as to remove any water formed and condense both the vapors of the liquid employed and the water in such a manner as to trap out the water and return the liquid to the reacting vessel. This procedure is commonly employed in the arts, and for convenience, reference is made to U. S. Patent No. 2,264,759, dated December 2, 1941, to Paul C. Jones.

Referring again to the last two formulae indicating the compounds under consideration, it

can be readily understood that such compounds, in numerous instances, have the property of polyfunctionality. In view of this fact, where there is at least one residual carboxyl and at least one residual hydroxyl, one would expect that under suitable conditions, instead of obtaining the monomeric compounds indicated, one would in reality obtain a polymer in the sense, for example, that polyethylene glycols represent a polymer of ethylene glycol. The term polymer is frequently used to indicate the polymerized product derived from a monomer in which the polymer has the same identical composition as the monomer. In the present instance, however, polymerization involves the splitting and loss of water so that-the process is essentially self-esterification. Thus, strictly speaking, the polymeric compounds are not absolutely polymers of the monomeric compounds, but since, for all practical purposes, they can be so indicated, and since such practice is common in the arts concerned with materials of this type, it is so adopted here. Thus, reference in the appended claims to polymers is intended to include the self-esterification products of the monomeric compounds.

In view of what has been said, and in view of the recognized hydrophile properties of the recurring oxyalkylene linkages, particularly the oxyethylene linkage, it is apparent that the materials herein contemplated may vary from compounds which are clearly water-soluble through self-emulsifying oils, to materials which are balsam-like and sub-resinous or semi-resinous in nature. The compounds may vary from monomers to polymers, in which the ,unitary structure appears a number of times, for instance, 10, or 12, times. It is to be noted that true resins, i. e., truly insoluble materials of a hard plastic nature, are not herein included. In other words, the polymerized compounds are soluble to a fairly definite extent, for instance, at least 5 in some solvents, such as water, alcohol, benzene, dichloroethyl, ether, acetone, cresylic acid, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, dioxane, or the like. This is simply another way of stating that the polymerized product contemplated must be of the subresinous type, which iscommonly referred to as an A resin, or a B resin, as distinguished from a C resin, which is a highly infusible, insoluble resin (see Ellis, Chemistry of Synthetic Resins (1945), pages 862, et seq.).

Reviewing the form as presented, it is obvious that one may obtain compounds, within the scope disclosed, which contain neither a free hydroxyl nor a free carboxyl group, and one may also obtain a compound of the type in which there is present at least one free carboxyl, or at least one free hydroxyl, or both. The word polar has sometimes been used in the artsin this particular sense to indicate the .presence of at least one free hydroxyl group, or at least, one free carboxyl group, or both. In the case of the free carboxyl group, the carboxylic hydrogen atom may,-of course, be replaced by any ionizable hydrogen atom-equivalent, such, for example, as a metal, an ammonium radical, a substituted 'ammonium radical, etc. In the hereto appended claims theword polar is used in this specific sense.

We are aware that compounds similar to those contemplated in the present instance may be derived frompolyhydroxylated compounds having more than three hydroxyl groups. For instance, they may be derived from acyclic diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, mixed polyglycerols, mannitol, sorbitol, various hexitols,

dulcitol, pentaerythritol, sorbitan, mannitan, dipentaerythritol monoether, and other similar compounds. Such particular types in which higher hydroxylated materails are subjected to oxyalkylation and then employed in the same manner as oxyalkylated glycerol, is employed in the present instance, are not contemplated in this specific case, although attention is directed to the same.

Reference is also made to other oxyalkylated compounds which may be used as reactants to replace oxyalkylated glycerol, or oxyalkylated ethylene glycol, which latter reactant is described in our application Serial No. 384,601, filed March 21, 1941, now U. S. Patent No. 2,295,170, dated September 8, 1942. The-reactants thus contemplated include the type in which there is an amino or amido nitrogen atom. Particularly, when present in a low molal type of compound prior to oxyalkylation, reference being made to polyhydroxylated materials, including those having two or three hydroxyl groups, as well as those having more than three hydroxyl groups. For instance, the oxyalkylated derivatives, particularly the oxyethylated derivatives. of ethyldiethanolamine, bis(hydroxymethyl) acetamide, the acetamide of tris(hydroxymethy1)aminomethane, tetrahydroxylated ethylene diamine, etc. Compounds may also be derived from cyclic diglycerol and the like.

Furthermore, for convenience, attention is directed to a somewhat similar class of materials which are described in our application Serial No. 384,602, filed March 21, 1941,. now U. S. Patent No. 2,295,170, dated September'8, 1942. Said patent involves the use of the same type of alcoholic bodies for reactants, but is limited, among other things, to the compounds which are essentially symmetrical in nature, for instance, involving the introduction of two alcoholic residues, whereas, in the present instance, one, two, or three, or more, might be introduced.

As indicated previously, the polybasic acids employed are limited to the type having not more than eight carbon atoms, for example, oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, maleic, and phthalic. Similarly, one may employ acids such as fumaric, glutaconic, and various others, such as citric, malic, tartaric, and the like. The selection of the particular tribasic or dibasic acid employed, is usually concerned largely with the convenience of manufacture of the finished ester, and also the price of the reactants. Generally speaking, phthalic acid or anhydride tends to produce resinous materials, and greater care must be employed if the ultimate or final product be of a sub-resinous type. Specifically, the preferred type of polybasic acid is such as to contain six carbon atoms or less. Generally speaking, the higher the temperature employed, the easier it is to obtain large yields of esterified product, although polymerization may be stimulated. Oxalic acid may be comparatively cheap, but it decomposes readily at slightly above the boiling point of Water. For this reason it is more desirable to use an acid which is more resistant to pyrolysis. Similarly, when a polybasic acid is available in the form of an anhydride, such anhydride is apt to produce the ester with greater ease than the acid itself. For this reason, maleic anhydride is particularly adaptable, and also, everything else considered, the cost is comparatively low on a per molar basis, even though somewhat *higher on e, per pound basis. Succinic acid or the anhydride has many attractive qualities of maleic anhydride, and this is also true of adipic acid. For purposes of bevity, the bulk of the examples, hereinafter illustrated, will refer to the use of maleic anhydride, although it is understood that any other suitable polybasic acid may be employed. Furthermore, reference is made to derivatives obtained by oxyethylation, although, as previously pointed out, other oxyalkylating agents may be employed.

As far as the, range of oxyethylated glycerols employed as reactants is concerned, it is our preference to employ those in which approximately 15 .to 24 oxyethylene groups have been introduced into a single glycerol molecule. This means that approximately five to eight oxyethylene radicals have been introduced for each original hydroxyl group.

The oxyalkylation of glycerol is a well known procedure (see Example 11 of German Patent No. 605,973, dated November 22, 1934, to I. G. Farbenindustrie, A. G.). The procedure indicated in the following three examples is substantially identical with that outlined in said aforementioned German patent.

OXYETHYLATED GLYCEROL Example 1 184 pounds of glycerol is mixed with /z%, by weight, of caustic soda solution havin a specific gravity of 1.383. The caustic soda acts as a cata lyst. small amounts, for instance, about 44 pounds at a time. The temperature employed is from C. Generally speaking, the gauge pressure during the operation approximates 200 pounds at the maximum, and when reaction is complete, drops to zero, due to complete absorption of the ethylene oxide. When all the ethylene oxide has been absorbed and the reactants cooled, a second small portion, for instance, 44 more pounds of ethylene oxide, is added and the procedure repeated until the desired ratio of 15 pound moles of ethylene oxide to one pound mole of glycerol is obtained. This represents 660 pounds of ethylene oxide for 92 pounds of glycerol.

OXYETHYLA'IED GLYcERoL Example 2 The ratio of ethylene oxide is increased to 18 pound moles for each pound more of glycerol. Otherwise, the same procedure is followed as in Example 1, preceding.

OXYE'I'HYLATED GLYCEROL Example 3 The same procedure is followed as in the two previous examples, except that the ratio of ethylene oxide to glycerol is increased to 21 to one.

OXYETHYLATED GLYCEROL MALEATE Example v1 'One pound mole of 'oxyethylated glycerol (1 to 15 ratio) prepared in the manner previously described is treated with one pound mole or maleic .anhydride and heated at approximately 110 C. for approximately thirtyminutes to two hours, with constant stirring, .so as to yield a monomaleate.

OXYETHYLATED GLY'cERoL MALEATE Example 2 The same procedure is followed as in the preceding example, except that two moles of maleic The ethylene oxide is added in relatively anhydride are employed so as to obtain the dimaleate instead of the monomaleate.

OXYETHYLATED GLYCEROL MALEATE Example 3 The same procedure is followed as in the two preceding examples, except that three moles of maleic anhydride are employed so as to obtain the trimaleate.

QXYETHYLATED GLYCEROL MALEATE Example 4 The same procedure is employed as in the preceding examples, except that oxyethylated glycerol (ratio 1 to 18) is substitued in place of oxyethylated glycerol (ratio 1 to 15).

OXYETHYLATED GLYCEROL MALEATE Example 5 The same procedure is employed as in the preceding examples, except that oxyethylated glycerol (ratio 1 to 21) is employed instead of oxyethylated glycerol (ratio 1 to or (1 to 18).

Previous reference has been made to an alcoholic body which has been defined generically by the formula R1(OH) m. The sub-generic class of alcoholic compounds employed as reactants in the manufacture of the present compounds, are materials commonly referred to as the amides of high molal alcoholic acids, or high molal hydroxy acids. Such amides are derived from the high molal hydroxy acids. Like the high molal hydroxy acids, they are invariably water-insoluble.

Since the amides are derivatives of the high molar hydroxy acids, it is most convenient to indicate the variety of high molar hydroxy acids which may be converted into amides or substituted amides. The commonest example of a high molal hydroxy acid is ricinoleic acid. Other hydroxy fatty acids include hydroxystearic acid, dihydroxystearic acid, diricinoleic acid, aleuritic acid, and the like. Similar acids are obtained in the oxidation of paraflin, petroleum hydrocarbons, or wax, and are commonly referred to as hydroxylated wax acids. Hydroxylated wax acids occur as by-products in the oxidation of waxes or similar materials, and are usually separated so that the commonest commercial form of oxidized wax acids represent mixtures comparatively free from the hydroxylated compounds. Hydroxylated acids are produced by other procedures, such as chlorination, either by addition or substitution, as, for example, chlorination of oleic acid or stearic acid. Subsequent reactions involve the removal of the chlorine with the introduction of a hydroxyl radical. Undecylenic acid derived from castor oil, has been converted into a hydroxy undecenoic acid. Unsaturated hydroxy acids, such as ricinoleic acid, may be treated in various manners, so as to produce derivatives, for example, chlorinated or brominated ricinoleic acid. Such materials are entirely satisfactory for use as reactants in the preparation of materials of the kind herein contemplated. Naturally-occurring naphthenic acids can also be converted into hydroxylated products by following similar procedure. An unsaturated hydroxy acid, such as ricinoleic acid, can be converted into a hydroxylated arylstearic acid. Such procedure contemplates reactions such as those involving ricinoleic acid, benzene, and aluminum chloride in large excess, or involves the desulfonation of a sulfo-aromatic fatty acid. In any event, by employing derivatives of undecylenic acid, or one or more of the various wax acids, naturally-occurring naphthenic acid, ricinoleic acid, diricinoleic acid, or derivatives thereof, as previously explained, one can obtain a variety of hydroxylated monocarboxy acids, havin at least 11 carbon atoms and not in excess of 36 carbon atoms. Such compounds are the kind herein contemplated as reactants to furnish the alcoholiform hydroxy.

Hydroxy acids of the kind herein contemplated as reactants for the formation of amides, may also be prepared by the hydrolysis of alpha-halogen acids. For instance, alphabromocaproic acid, alpha-bromocaprylic acid, alpha-bromocapric acid, alpha-bromolauric acid, alpha-bromomyristic acid, alpha-bromopalmi'tic acid, and the like, can be hydrolyzed to give the corresponding alpha-hydroxy acid. Indeed, a. reactive alphahalogen acid may serve as a functional equivalent, of an alpha-hydroxy acid by liberation of hydrochloric acid, instead of water. Such type of reaction, however, involves numerous difliculties; and thus, it is better to employ a hydroxy acid.

In some instances derivatives of hydroxylated unsaturated acids are most readily obtained by the employment of an intermediate in which the hydroxyl group is protected. Thus, ricinoleic acid may be acetylated, and such acetyl ricinoleic acid converted into a derivative, for instance, a derivative in which an arylgroup is introduced. Such derivatives can then be saponified or hydrolyzed so as to regenerate the hydroxyl radical.

The manufacture of amides from acids is, of course, comparatively simple. One may employ the acid or a suitable derivative, such as the acyl halide, or preferably, the ester. In many instances, it is easier to obtain the amide from an ester derived from a monohydric or polyh'ydric alcohol than it is from the acid itself.

As to the manufacture of various esters from acids of the kind above described, attention is directed to the following United States Patents, to wit: No. 1,160,595 dated Nov. 16, 1915, to Gruter et al.; No. 2,221,674, dated Nov. 12, 1940, to Ellis; and No. 2,177,407, dated Oct. 24, 1939, to I-Iansley. See also Organic Syntheses, volume X, page 88.

In any event, the acid or suitable derivative, particularly the ester, is treated with ammonia to produce the amide.

The method of manufacturing the amide requires no elaboration, but simply as illustrative of the art, referenceis made to U, S. Patent No. 2,058,013, to Henke and Zertman, dated October 20, 1936.

As to the procedure for manufacture of substituted amides, reference is made to the following United States patents, i. e.: No. 2,013,108, dated Sept. 3, 1935, to Reppe et al.; No. 1,475,477, dated Nov. 27, 1923, to Ellis; and No. 1,954,433, dated Apr. 10, 1934, to Thomas et al.

If low molal amines, particularly primary amines, for example, butylamine, amylamine, aniline, cyclohexylamine, or the like, are substituted for ammonia, one obtains a substituted amide which can be employed satisfactorily in the present process, provided, of course, that the final product is water-soluble. In fact, secondary amines, such as dibutylamine and diamylamine, can be used. Since such materials are generally more expensive than ammonia, and since the hydrocarbon groups present tend to decrease Water solubility, there is no added advantage in using such materials, except for some special purpose.

such as the resolution of oil field emulsions. If such materials are used, it is preferable that they be derivatives of primaryaminea'i. e., that the substituted amide contain only one hydrocarbon group, and in any event, that such hydrocarbon group contain notmore than 7 carbon atoms, as, for example, derivatives of monoamylamine, cyclohexylamine, aniline, and benzylamine In the hereto. appendedclaims reference to amides is intended to include substituted amides in which there is present'not more than one hydrocarbon group containing not more than 7 carbon atoms, provided that such materials serve as obvious functional equivalents, i. e., yield watersoluble products. The hereto appended claims are not intended to include substituted amides derived from amines containinghydroxyhydrocarbon radicals, as, for example, monoethanolamine, monopropanolamine, tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane, monoglycerylamine, etc.

COMPLET D MONOlVIERIC DERIVATIVEv Example 1 One pound mole of a product of the kind described under the heading oxyethylated glycerol maleate, Example 1 is reacted with onepound mole of ricinoleoamide, preferably in the absence of any high boiling hydrocarbon'or inert solvent, however, if an inert vaporizing solvent is employed, it is generally necessary to use one which has a higher boiling range than xylene, and sometimes removal of such solvent might present a difilculty. In other instances, however, such high boiling inert vaporizing solvent, if

employed, might be permitted to remain in lthe reacted mass and appear as a constituent or ingredient of the final product. In any event our preference is to conduct the reactionin the absence of any such solventand permit the reac-. tion to proceed with the elimination of water. The temperature of reaction is about 180 to 200 C. and time of reaction about 20 hours.

COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Earammle 2' The same procedure is followed as in Completed monomeric derivative, Example 1, preceding, except that the dimaleate described under the heading oxyethylated glycerol maleate, Ex-

ample 2 is used instead of the monomaleate.

COMPLETED MONOMERIO' DERIVATIVE 7 Example 3 v The same procedure is followed as in the two preceding examples, except that the trimaleate is COMPLETED MoNoMERIc DERIVATIVE Example 5 The same procedure is followed asin Example 3, preceding except that for each pound moleof trimaleate, instead of adding one pound" mole of ricinoleoamide, one adds three pound moles of ricinoleoamide for reaction.

COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Example 6 COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Example 7 The same procedure is followed as in Example 6, immediately preceding, except that the oxyethylated glycerol employed represents one having an even higher degree of Oxyethylation. For

example, one indicated by the ratio of 1 to 21.

(See oxyethylated glycerol maleate, Example 5, preceding.)

COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Ewample 8 A mixture of hydroxylated oxidized wax acids having an average molecular weight of approximately 250-275 is converted into the corresponding mixture of amides and substituted for ricinoleoamide, in Examples 1 to 7, immediately preceding. I

COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE I Example 9 A mixture of hydroxylated oxidized wax acids having an average molecular weight of approximately 275-300 is converted into the corresponding mixture of amides and substituted for ricinoleoamide, in Examples 1 to 7, immediately preceding COMPLETED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Example 10 A mixture of hydroxylated oxidized wax acids having an average molecular weight of approximately 300-325 is converted into the corresponding mixture of amides and substituted for ricinoleoamide, in Examples 1 to 7, immediately preceding.-

COMPLE ED MONOMERIC DERIVATIVE Example 11 Dihydroxystearamide is substituted for ricinoleoamide in Examples 1 to '7, immediately preceding.

The method of producing such fractional esters is Well known. The general procedure is to employ a temperature above the boiling point of water and below the pyrolytic point of the reactants. The products are mixed and stirred constantly during the heating and esterification step. If desired, an inert gas, such as dried nitrogen or dried carbon dioxide, may be passed through the mixture. Sometimes it is desirable to add an esterification catalyst, such as sulfuric acid, benzene sulfonic acid, or the like. This is the same general procedure as employed in the manufacture of ethylene glycol dihydrogen diphthalate. (See U. S. Patent No. 2,075,107, dated March 30, 1937, to Frasier.)

Sometimes esterification is conducted most readily in the presence of an inert solvent, that carries away the water of esterification which may be formed, although as is readily appreciated, such water of esterification is absent when such type of reaction involves an acid an hydride, such as maleic anhydride, and a glycol. However, if water is formed, for instance, when citric acid is employed, then a solvent such as xylene may be present and employed to carry ofi the water formed. The mixture of Xylene vapors and water vapors can be condensed so that the water is separated. The xylene is then returned to the reaction vessel for further circulation. This is a conventional and well known procedure and requires no further elaboration.

In the previous monomeric examples there is a definite tendency, in spite of precautions, at least in a number of instances, to obtain polymeric materials and certain cogeneric by-products. This is typical, of course, of organic reactions of this kind, and as is well known, organic reactions per se are characterized by the fact that 100% yields are the exception, rather than the rule, and that significant yields are satisfactory, especially in those instances where the byproducts or cogeners may satisfactorily serve with the same purpose as the principal or intentional product. This is true in the present instance. In many cases when the compound is manufactured for purposes of demulsification, one is better oil to obtain a polymer in the sense previously described, particularly a polymer whose molecular weight is a rather small multiple of the molecular weight of the monomer, for instance, a polymer whose molecular weight is two, three, four, five, or six times the molecular weight of the monomer. Polymerization, is hastened by the presence of an alkali, and thus, in instances where it is necessary to have a maximum yield of the monomer, it may be necessary to take such precautions that the alkali used inpromoting oxyethylation of glycerol, be removed before subsequent reaction. This, of course, can be done in any simple manner by conversion to sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, or any suitable procedure.

In the preceding examples of the Completed monomeric derivative, Examples 1 to 10, inclusive, no reference is made to the elimination of such alkaline catalyst, in view of the effectiveness of the low multiple polymers as demulsifiers. Previous reference has been made to the fact that the carboxylic hydrogen atom might be variously replaced by substituents, including organic radicals, for instance, the radicals obtained from alcohols, hydroxylated amines, non-hydroxylated amines, polyhydric alcohols, etc. Obviously, the reverse is also true, in that a free hydroxyl group may be esterified with a selected acid, varying from such materials as ricinoleic acid to oleic acid, including alcohol acids, such as hydroxy acetic acid, lactic acid, rioinoleic acid and also polybasic acids of the kind herein contemplated.

With the above facts in mind, it becomes apparent that what has been previously said as to polymerization, with the suggestion that bY-products or cogeneric materials were formed, may be recapitulated with greater definiteness, and one can readily appreciate that the formation of heatrearranged derivatives or compounds must take place to a greater or lesser degree. Thus, the products herein contemplated may be characterized by being monomers of the type previously described, or esterification polymers, or the heatrearranged derivatives of the same, and thus including the heat-arranged derivatives of both the polymers and esterification monomers, saparately and jointly. Although the class of materials specifically contemplated in this instance is a comparatively small and narrow class of a broad genus, yet it is obviously impossible to present any adequate formula which would contemplate the present series in their complete ramification, except in a manner employed in the hereto appended claims.

Although the products herein contemplated vary so broadly in their characteristics, i. e., monomers through sub-resinous polymers, soluble products, water-emulsifiable oils or compounds, hydrotropic materials, balsams, sub-resinous materials, semi-resinous materials, and the like, yet there is always present the characteristic unitary hydrophile structure related back to the oxyalkylation, particular the oxyethylation of the glycerol used as the raw material. When our new product is used as a demulsifier in the resolution of oil field emulsions, the demulsifier may be added to the emulsion at the ratio of 1 part in 10,000, 1 part in 20,000, 1 part in 30,000, or for that matter, 1 part in 40,000. In such ratios it well may be that one cannot differentiate between the solubility of a compound completely soluble in water in any ratio, and a semi-resinous product apparently insoluble in water in ratios by which ordinary insoluble materials are characterized. However, at such ratios the importance must reside in interfacial position and the ability to usurp, preempt, or replace the interfacial position previously occupied perhaps by the emulsifying colloid. In any event, reviewed in this light, the obvious common property running through the entir series, notwithstanding variation in molecular size and physical make-up, is absolutely apparent. Such statement is an obvious oversimplification of the rationale underlying demulsification, and does not even consider the resistance of an interfacial film to crumbling, displacement, being forced into solution, altered wettability, and the like. As to amidification polymers, for instance, where Z is a polyaminoamide radical, see what is said subsequently.

COMPLETED POLYMERIC DERIVATIVES INCLUDING HEAT-REARRANGED COGENERS Example 1 A material of the kind described previously under the heading Completed monomeric derivative, Example 1, obtained by reacting one pound mole of an oxyethylated glycerol with two pound moles of maleic anhydride is heated with one pound mole of ricinoleoamide at a temperature of approximately 220240 C., with constant stirring, for a period of from two to 60 hours, so as to eliminate sufiicient water, and thus, to insure that the resultant product has a molecular weight twice that of the initial raw material.

COMPLETED POLYMERIC DERIVATIVES INCLUDING HEAT-REARRANGED COGENERS Example 2 The same procedure is followed as in the preceding example, except that polymerization is continued, using either a somewhat longer reaction time, or it may be a somewhat higher temperature, or both, so as to obtain a material having a molecular weight of approximately three to four times that of the initial product.

COMPLETEDPOLYMERIC DERIVATIVESLINCLUDING HEAT-REARRANGED "COGENERS Example 3 The same procedure is followed as in EXampleS I 1 and '2, preceding, except that the monomer is derived from one pound mole of oxyethylated COMPLETED POLYMERIC DERIVATIVES INCLUDING HEAT-REARRANGED COGENERS Example 4 The same'procedure is :followed as in Examples 1 to 3, preceding, except that one polymerizes a mixture instead of a single monomer, .for instance, a mixture of materials of the kind described in: Completed'monomeric derivative, Example 3, and in Completedmonomericderivative. Example 4, are mixed in molecular proportion and subjected to polymerization in the manner indicated in the previous examples.

It is understood, of course, that the polymerized product need not be obtained as a result of a two-step procedure. In other words, one need not convert the reactantsinto the monomer and then subsequently convert the-monomer into the polymer. The reactant may be converted through the monomer to the polymer, in one step. Indeed, the formation of the monomer and polymerization may take place simultaneously. This is especially true if polymerization is conducted in the absence of a liquid such as xylene, as previously described, and if one uses a comparatively higher temperature, for instance, approximately 220 C. for polymerization. .Thus, one pound mole of oxyethylated glycerol maleate of the kind described, ratio 1 to 15, up to 1 to 21, is mixed with two moles of ricinoleoamide and reacted for 30 hours at approximately 220 C. until. the mass is homogeneous. It is stirred constantly during reaction. Polyiunctionalitymay reside in dehy dration -(etherization) of two hydroxyl groups attached to dissimilar molecules.

The fact that the polymerized and heatarranged products can be made in a single step, illustrates a phenomenon which sometimes occurs either in such instances where alcoholic bodies of the kind herein illustrated are contemplated as reactants, or where somewhat kindred alcoholic bodies are employed. The reactants may be mixed mechanically to give a homogeneous mixture, or if the reactants do not mix to give a homogeneous mixture, then early in the reaction stage there is formed, to a greator or lesser degree, sufficient monomeric materials so that a homogeneous system is present. Subsequently, as reaction continues, the system may become heterogeneous and exist in two distinct phases, one being possibly an oily body of moderate viscosity, and the other being a heavier material, which is sticky or sub-resinous in nature. In many instances, it will be found that the thinner liquid material is a monomer and the more viscous or resinous material is a polymer, as previously described. Such product can be used for demulsification by adding a solvent which will mutually dissolve the two materials, or else, by separating the two heterogeneous phases and employing each as if it were a separate product of reaction.

Materials of the kind herein contemplated may find uses as wetting, detergent, and leveling agents in the laundry, textile, and dyeing industry; as wetting agents and detergents in the acid washing of fruit, in the acid washing of building stone and brick; as a wetting agent and spreader in the application of asphalt in road building and the-like, as a constituent of soldering-flux preparations; as a flotation reagent in the flotation separation of various minerals; for flocculation and coagulation of various aqueoussuspensions containing negatively charged particles such as sewage, coal washing waste Water, and various trade wastes and the like; as germicides, insecticides, emulsifiers for cosmetics, spray oils, Waterrepellent textile finish, etc. These uses are by no means exhaustive.

However, the mostimportant phase of the present invention, as .far as industrial application goes, is concerned with the use of the materials previously described as demulsifiers for water-in-oil emulsions, and more specifically, emulsions of water or brine in crude petroleum.

We have found that the particular chemical compounds or reagents herein described may also be used for other purposes, for instance, as a break inducer in doctor treatmentof the kind intended to sweeten gasoline, (See U. S. Patent No. 2,157,223, dated May 9, 1939, to Sutton).

Chemical compounds of the kind herein described are also of value as surface tension depressants in theacidization of calcareous oilbearing strata by means of strong mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid. Similarly, some members are eiTective as surface tension depressants or Wetting agents in the flooding of exhausted oilbearing strata.

As to using compounds of the kind herein described as fiooding agents for recovering oil from subterranean strata, reference is made to the procedure describedin detail in U. S. Patent No. 2,226,119, dated December 24, 1940, to De Groote and Kaiser. As to using compounds of the kind herein described as demulsifiers, or in particular as surface tension depressants in combination with mineral acid or acidization of oil-bearing strata, reference is made to U. S; Patent No. 2,233,383, dated February 25, 1941, to De Groote and Keiser.

Cognizance must be taken of the fact that the surface of the reacting vessel may increase or decrease reaction rate and degree of polymerization, for instance, an iron reaction vessel speeds up reaction and polymerization, compared with a glass-lined vessel.

As has been previously indicated, the sub-genus employed as an alcohol in the present instance is one of a series of alcoholic compounds which are contemplated in our co-pending applications Serial Nos. 497,118, 497,119, 497,120, 497,121, 497,123, 497,124, 497,125, 497,126, 497,127, 497,128, 497,129, 497,130, 497,131, 497,132, 497,133, 497,134 and 497,135, all filed August 2, 1943.

It is to be noted that in such instances where .the .alcoholic body contains a reactive amino hy- (OH)..R2C ON in which the radical R200 contains at least 8 and not more than 36 carbon atoms and n is a small numeral varying from 1 to 3; the acyl group substituted for a reactive hydroxyl-hydrogen atom of said hydroxylated amide being the acyl radical of an acidic fractional ester of the formula:

a-owo 0 one o 0111.

in which -OCR1CO is the acyl radical of a polycarboxy acid having not over 8 carbon atoms; Z represents a metallic cation; R-O is a member of the class consisting of ethylene oxide radicals, propylene oxide radicals, butylene oxide radicals, and glycid radicals, and n represents a numeral varying from 3 to 10, and n" represents a numeral varying from O to 2, and n represents a numeral varying from 1 to 3, with the proviso that the sum of n"+n"'=3.

2. Theester of claim 1, wherein n is one.

3. The ester of claim 1, wherein n is one and OER/2C0 is the acyl radical of a higher fatty acid having 18 carbon atoms.

4. The ester of claim 1, wherein n is one, OHRzCO is the radical of a higher fatty acid having 18 carbon atoms, and the polycarboxy acid is dicarboxy.

5. The ester of claim 1, wherein n is one, O l-[R200 is the radical of a higher fatty acid having 18 carbon atoms, the polycarboxy acid is dicarboxy, and R is an ethylene radical.

6. The ester of claim 1, wherein n is one and OHRZCO is the ricinoleyl radical, the polycarboxy acid is dicarboxy, and R is an ethylene radical.

7. The ester of claim 1, wherein n is one, OHRzCO is the ricinoleyl radical, -OCR1CO- is a maleic acid radical, and R is an ethylene radical.

8. The ester of claim 1, wherein n is one, OI-lIRzCO is the ricinoleyl radical, --OCR1CO- is a phthalic acid radical, and R is an ethylene radical.

9. The ester of claim 1, wherein n is one, OHRzCO is the ricinoleyl radical, -OCR1CO- is an adipic acid radical, and R is an ethylene radical.

10. The method of manufacturing esters, described in claim 1, which consists in reacting a water-insoluble high molal hydroxy acid amide of the formula:

H (OHMRLCON in which the radical R200 contains at least 8 and not more than 36 carbon atoms and n is a small numeral varying from 1 to 3; with an acidic fractional ester of the formula:

in which OCR1CO is the acyl radical of a polycarboxy acid having not over 8 carbon atoms; Z represents a metallic cation; R--O is a member of the class consisting of ethylene oxide radicals, propylene oxide radicals, butylene oxide radicals and glycid radicals, and n represents a numeral varying from 3 to 10, and n represents a numeral varying from 0 to 2, and 11 represents a numeral varying from 1 to 3, with the proviso that the sum of n"+n'=3.

MELVIN DE GROOTE.

BERNI-IARD KEISER. 

